Astros reflect on Porter’s meaning to team

Bo Porter’s motivational pinwheel and his placards with inspirational quotes were gone from the Astros’ clubhouse Tuesday as his stunned former players began life without him as their manager.

“You just kind of roll along with the punches, so to speak,” first baseman Jon Singleton said. “Hopefully we can make the most of it. It’s definitely surprising any time anything like that happens in the middle of the season.

“Bo was always motivational. He was always there to pump you up and make you feel good about yourself. It was always nice. It just sucks to see somebody who’s always behind you and in your corner go.”

Porter and bench coach Dave Trembley were fired on Monday during the team’s day off. They were replaced by interim manager Tom Lawless and Adam Everett.

“I was surprised, yeah for sure,” center fielder Dexter Fowler said. “Bo and Trem, I’d like to thank them for giving me an opportunity even when I first got here for making me feel at home. They’re good guys and good men. You never know what the future holds. God has a plan for everybody. Right now as Astros we’re just going to try to continue winning.”

Added slugger Chris Carter: “It’s tough to see coaches leave and guys you pretty much came into the organization with leave because those were the guys that I came in together with after I go traded over. They were two guys that were always there for me to talk to or whatever. It’s a business. Those decisions are out of my control.”

Whether rookies like Singleton and George Springer or veterans such as Fowler and Jason Castro, the Astros were unanimous in their sense of gratitude for Porter and Trembley’s efforts.

“It’s a difficult time,” Castro said. “Obviously you never want to see anybody lose their job, but we thank Bo for all his effort that he put in and everything he did for this club. We wish him the best of luck moving forward. We know he’ll be successful and wish him the best. As an organization now we look toward the future.”